Johnson races to the crease before unleashing a venomous ball in the direction of a Kent batsman

Australia batsman Brad Haddin leaves the field for lunch during his side's warm up match against Kent

It was a significant moment for Johnson, who arrived in England not certain of a place in the Australian side for the first Test even though he took 37 wickets to destroy England in the last Ashes.

Such are the fast bowling resources at Michael Clarke’s disposal that Johnson appears to be competing here for a place in Cardiff along with Ryan Harris, who was rested for the tour of West Indies with the Ashes in mind.

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, both rested here, look certain to play in the first Test and on the early evidence of their outings Johnson has a clear advantage over Harris.

Harris pitched the ball up on this perfect Spitfire Ground pitch in search of swing but there was little for either him or Johnson and the experienced Kent pair Joe Denly and Rob Key dug in to blunt the new-ball attack.

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Harris went wicketless in his opening four over spell and conceded four runs an over but was better when he was switched to the Nackington Road End and twice nearly penetrated the defences of Kent club captain Key.

But after surviving a loud lbw shot Key, on 23, then edged Harris through the gap between wicketkeeper and first slip, with Brad Haddin at fault for making no attempt to go for what should have been a simple catch.

Earlier a spectacular catch from Denly and a five-wicket haul for 21-year-old Matt Hunn were the eye-catching features of the second morning of Australia’s opening tour match but the runs kept on coming.

Steve Smith, once primarily a leg-spinner in these parts with Sevenoaks Vine Cricket Club, moved smoothly to the second century of Australia’s innings before retiring and leaving centre stage for two contrasting men of Kent.

Johnson also impressed with the bat before lunch as helped Australia to 477 for six

Steve Smith walks off after retiring during day two of the tour match between Australia and Kent

Denly is a veteran now whose England days are long gone but he showed he still has a spring in his step as he leapt to claim a stunning diving left-handed catch at point to send back Shane Watson off the bowling of Hunn.

Then the Essex-born Hunn, far from a Kent regular and in only his fourth first-class match, gained a more authentic fifth-wicket when he clean bowled Mitch Marsh.

For Australia, though, this was another gentle introduction to what is bound to be a hard-fought Ashes tour. Smith is a completely different cricketer to the young all-rounder making his way in the game with Kent seconds and Sevenoaks seven years ago.

He has also been transformed in the last two years from idiosyncratic batsman to prolific performer who is now rated as the best in the world. Here his century looked inevitable up until the point he slogged wildly at Mitch Claydon – and missed –attempting to reach his landmark in the grand manner on 99.

It only delayed Smith’s century as he was soon forcing Claydon, who has bowled without luck in this match, through the legside for a boundary that received warm acclaim from another big Canterbury crowd.

Smith soon retired to leave Watson and Marsh competing for one place in the Aussie middle order for the first Test in Cardiff on July 8.

The manner of their dismissals pointed to Watson, who was unlucky to be caught off a full-blooded cut, being the clear favourite but Australia will want him to spend more time at the crease in the second innings or against Essex at Chelmsford next week.

Australia moved smoothly towards their declaration which came at the fall of Harris’s wicket after lunch, with Hunn clearly being the pick of an under-strength Kent attack.